A Bloomfield Hills business owner who was paralyzed in a car accident in 2001 is one of the top three finalists in Oakland County's Elite 40 Under 40 Award, honoring outstanding entrepreneurs.

Erica Coulston, the co-founder of Walk The Line to SCI Recovery in Southfield, was chosen by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson because of her passion for helping others and her dedication to the community.

The public started voting for the winner on Monday and voting ends Friday. The other top candidates are Ajay Chawla, 37, and Ziad Kassab, 29.

Paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident, Coulston became determined to find the best therapies for recovery from her spinal cord injury -- and then to bring them to Michigan.

A team of dedicated physical therapists, trainers and doctors at her clinic offers innovative, individualized recovery therapy, utilizing emerging techniques and research from the around the globe.

Coulston went to Portugal in 2003 to receive olfactory stem cell transplants and she exercises faithfully to try to regain mobility.

"Of course this is a competition, and I want to win, but I am also excited to be the only woman in the Top 3 as well as the first person with a spinal cord injury" to be considered for the award, Coulston said.

"Change comes from awareness and breaking through the various glass ceilings that exist in our society," she said. "I am proud to represent both women and persons with a disability as the best of the best in Oakland County."

The winner is expected to be announced Saturday, Feb. 2.

Besides networking and notoriety, the winner will introduce Patterson when he delivers his State of the County address on Feb. 7.

"Often people view my situation as tragic, but the last decade has been a continuing process of growth, both physically and personally," said Coulston, 34, who lives with her husband, Ira.

"I want people to believe they can craft their own destiny. The mind is a powerful thing and with determination you create opportunities where others see misfortune," she said.

"In five years, Walk The Line has become a thriving recovery therapy clinic attracting clients from Michigan, all over the United States and abroad. We are recognized around the world as the leader in SCI recovery therapy.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to share my journey and represent the 2013 class of Brooks' Top 40 Under 40."